"…….. they should be children of the past, possessors of the present, creators of the future. The past is our foundation; present our material, the future our aim and summit." -Sri Arvindo

The aim of education can be put in two fold- collective aspect and an individual aspect. From the collective point of view, education is expected to turn the individual into a good citizen, i.e. into a person who has harmonious relations with other members of the community, who is useful to the society and who fulfils with zeal his obligations as a citizen. On the other hand, it may be expected that education will give to the individual a strong and healthy body, help him up in building up his character and attaining self mastery, and supply him with good opportunities of discovering and developing harmoniously his inherent abilities.

The last few decades have seen tremendous strides in communication and technology among other developments which have influenced the tools and techniques of education. The educators must of necessity be agents of change, rapid though it is, for what is introduced today is obsolete next year. This is completely revolutionary as compared to the methods of teaching that we experienced during our own school days. The old methods of rote learning have been replaced by audio visual presentations, hands on experience and an encouragement to analyze and practically apply what has been learnt. In this age of modern information Technology all the knowledge and information of all sorts is just a mouse's click away on internet.

Simultaneously, though, are other influences and pressures which now bear on our students. The at times unrealistic expectations of parents, the necessity to achieve high percentage in school in order to gain admission to colleges which raise the bar each year, are major anxieties for students often expressed in negative forms. The all- pervading influence of the media, the type of films, television programmes, news paper reported trivia which invades their homes as well as uncensored access to unsuitable sites on the internet, the entry of i-pods and cell phones into the classrooms, the use of slang or an abbreviated form of language of communication- these all some of the challenges thrown up by technology. Seismic changes in attitudes and behaviour violence becomes a form of expression, and its appearance in schools in India -these are all of serious concern.

To address these concerns, we need to rethink our approach to and understanding of the present environment in which our young people live and grow. The environs of the school where a set of understood rules is followed, a class room where it is clearly known what types of behaviour are acceptable or not, the understanding of a class teacher or the access to a counselor often provide the stability and reassurance a troubled child seeks and our schools must provide.

The academic year 2007 -2008 had been a grace filled year with innumerable blessings. All the curricular and co curricular activities were planned and aimed to provide opportunities for all students to learn and achieve, to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of life. We as one family share the joys and sorrow of each member and educate each child on the dignity of every human person and inculcate in them values that will help them to actualize respect for another in their everyday conduct. Thus respect for another person becomes the part of one's character. For, mere head level learning will have little impact on actual behaviour.

Dr. S. Radhakrisnan said 'A school does not consist of buildings and latest instruments. It is the teacher who makes the school'. The dedication and commitment of our teachers to the overall formation of our students has brought laurels to the institution in various activities. It has been the first priority of our teachers to facilitate learning in the class room and create an environment which is capable of arousing what the child needs at every stage for the natural and continuous growth.

We look forward for another grace filled year and continue to strive for excellence in every field. Our motto "SEMPER SURSUM" "Always aim high" is our source of inspiration in every activity of our college. May our heavenly patron, St. Joseph bless, protect and intercede for us always. May God bless us all.

Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas
Principal

Dear Readers,

Once again it's my great pleasure and joy to write these few lines to you on behalf of the Editorial Board of St. Joseph's College Annual Magazine, to showcase in brief the complete record of its activities, the creative pursuits of our students and their achievements and as a whole life at SJC.

"The aim of education should be to build character, human values, enhance the learning capacity through technology and build up confidence among the children to face courageously the problems they might encounter in the future... Education is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment. Real education enhances the dignity of a human being and increases his self respect. It transforms our world into a better place to live in peace and communal harmony", says Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, our former President. Keeping these thoughts in mind, SJC tries to draw out the best in every child with plethora of activities, provides galaxy of opportunities and helps each and every child to grow, blossom and to bloom, with the intention to make them self disciplined and intellectually competent with spiritual, emotional, mental and moral growth.

We strive to inculcate in the students the sense of secularism, nationalism, develop a sensitive heart and enlightened conscience. Our committed and dedicated teachers with their innovative ideas and plans try to make the classroom experience interesting, engaging and creative and stress free. They create a thirst for excellence in each child. Above all it is the human formation and character development that we strive for, inculcating in them the values of peace, love and justice.

We have made an attempt to show a kaleidoscopic picture of the activities of the academic session 2007 -2008. We have left no stone unturned to make the magazine a reader friendly one.

I wish to thank all the members of the Editorial Board for taking keen interest in making this college magazine an informative masterpiece of imagination and creativity. In a special way I thank Fr. Melwin D'Souza, our Headmaster, Shashank Singh, Ahmar Zaman and Prashant Tahiliani for their help and cooperation

Fr. Jacob Bona D'Souza
For the Editorial Board

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It is the fruit of hard work of each and every member of St. Joseph's College through all these years that it has reached to this milestone, today. Hence I congratulate Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas, the Principal, Rev. Fr. Melwin Wilson D'Souza, the Headmaster and all the staff members for their dedication and commitment. Especially I thank Rev. Fr. Jacob Bona D'Souza for his selfless service to the college for the past three years, bidding him Adieu and wishing him all the best for his future ministry as the Principal of St. Francis Assisi Sen. Sec. School, Anpara, Sonebhadra Dist.

The word 'Education' comes from the Latin word educere, which means 'to bring out', to bring out the potentials, hidden within the students into light. The teacher acts as a catalyst in shaping the students and on the other hand the student has to cooperate with his/her teacher and to submit oneself into the hands of the teacher, so that the teacher recognizes the potentials of the students and helps them to actualize their potencies, thus making them future promising citizens of our beloved country and of the whole world.

If education has to achieve its goal of personal and social transformation, then befriending the students on their intellectual and moral journey by qualified teachers becomes an essential part of the educational ministry of the State and of the Church. Young men and women are to be trained to bring about change within them and thus become agents of change in the society to ensure justice and equity for those it is denied. This process may be called "andragogy"; training and development of the person through whom transformation of the society is brought about. This is different from "pedagogy" which is more of educational methodology by which one is trained to absorb knowledge from empirical realities. My prayer and vision is that every student who marches out of the portals of St. Josephs be an animator of society who has; brought within him interior and moral transformation.

Once again I wish all of you a fruitful academic year 2008 2009. As our predecessors and elders of our St. Joseph's College in the past, may our present St. Joseph's Family realize its goals and visions, with its motto "Semper Sursum", "Always Aim High", as high as the sky:

With every good wish, loving greeting and blessing.

(Isidore Fenandes)
Bishop of Allahabad